The Peninsula District regular-season champions rebounded with a vengeance from their worst loss in three years, last Thursday's 11-1 rout by Kecoughtan in the district tournament.

Lafayette, 15-4, advanced to Wednesday's semifinals against Churchland, 11-7, at Old Dominion University.

For the umpteenth time in the past two seasons it was right-hander Jeff Roberts who righted the Rams against the Beach District runner-up Sun Devils.

Roberts pitched a five-hitter and reached base all five times he batted from his lead-off spot. He drew three walks, singled, scored three runs and delivered a clinching three-run homer in the sixth.

"Salem was a good-hitting team and well-disciplined similar to Kecoughtan in our district," Roberts said. "I had to be careful with my location and made some adjustments going more inside with my curveball.

"I let some mistakes bother me in the middle of the game, but our defense came through with some big plays."

Salem scored twice in the fourth to pull within 3-2. But the Rams batted 10 men in scoring four runs in their half of the inning.

Sun Devils' starter T. J. Williams issued four of his 10 total walks during the hosts' decisive rally.

Roberts, Kenny Miller and Curtis Pressey singled in the outburst, but it was second baseman Pat Gathings' two-out error on Louie Napoleon's grounder that allowed the fifth and sixth runs to score. Three consecutive walks followed to make it 7-2.

All told, three Salem pitchers issued 15 walks.

"I think that total says a lot about our discipline at the plate," Lafayette Coach Gary Spedden said. "You're not going to win when you allow an average of more than two walks per inning.

"Salem didn't have a good game. They are a much better team than they showed."

First baseman David Hogge combined with Roberts for the game's key defensive play in the sixth. Hogge backhanded a grounder going to his right and threw to Roberts covering first to snuff a bases-loaded threat.

"If that ball goes through, it scores two runs to make it 7-5 and they're still batting," Spedden said. "It was a very big play."

The game's best defensive play belonged to Lafayette second baseman Napoleon. The sophomore recovered a bobble by shortstop Miller, stepped on second to force the base runner Williams, and managed a strong throw to first to complete the double play despite being taken out by the sliding Williams.

Roberts picked on a curveball from reliever Steven Holloway for his home run.